Packaging element, in particular packaging insert

ABSTRACT

A packaging arrangement comprises a folding box ( 13 ) and a packaging insert ( 1 ) arranged therein for fixing elongate articles ( 30 ) in position, the packaging insert comprising a sheet-like blank ( 20 ). The packaging insert ( 1 ) has at least one crosspiece ( 2 ) which has in each case two side walls ( 3, 3′ ) which are erected from a base plane, are connected to one another at a preferably acute angle and form a top crosspiece edge ( 4 ). In order for an article ( 30 ) to be deposited, the crosspiece ( 2 ) has cutouts ( 5 ) which are open in the direction of the top crosspiece edge, a resiliently deformable securing nose ( 6 ) being provided on one side of the cutout ( 5 ). The securing nose can prevent the article from falling out.

The invention relates to a packaging element, in particular to a packaging insert according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a blank for the packaging element according to the invention and to a packaging arrangement having a folding box and at least one packaging insert arranged therein. Such packaging elements serve for accommodating elongate articles, and are used, in particular, in the pharmaceutical industry for packaging, for example, ampoules, bottles or syringes. The folding box and packaging insert each comprise sheet-like blanks and are usually adhesively bonded just directly prior to being filled.

Generically comparable packaging inserts having cross-sectionally triangular crosspieces and cutouts arranged thereon for accommodating articles have been known, and in widespread use, for some time now. DE 297 23 215 U1 discloses, for example, a generically comparable packaging insert which is adhesively bonded to the base of a cuboidal box. A crosspiece here comprises side walls which are connected to one another at an acute angle. Specifically configured cutouts are provided in the crosspieces in order to grip ampoules with clamping action. Each cutout has on both sides, in respect of the depositing direction, approximately centrally arranged tapering by means of which, with light pressure being applied, the ampoules are pressed into the cutouts. It has been found in practice that deposited articles, in the storage position described, can nevertheless fall out comparatively easily. This may lead to problems, in particular, because ampoules or other sensitive articles can easily be damaged.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a packaging element of the type mentioned in the introduction in which deposited articles are retained securely in the storage position even when subjected to elevated external stressing. The intention is for it no longer to be possible for the articles to fall out accidentally without thus adversely affecting the automated insertion on a packaging production line.

This object is achieved by a packaging element which has the features in claim 1. A securing nose which can be deformed in the depositing direction has an advantageous restoring capability. Since at least slightly resilient deformation, and virtually no plastic deformation, is established, a deformed securing nose, following removal of the pressure, can be restored at least to the extent where the deposited article is retained securely in the storage position. If an article is located in the storage position, it is not possible, in practice, for the article to be removed from the packaging element. The packaging element is suitable, in principle, for any kind of elongate article, but in particular for packaging ampoules, bottles or syringes in the pharmaceutical industry.

In order for the article to be removed, a user advantageously has to subject the securing nose to pressure, for example using a fingernail, in the depositing direction, as a result of which the securing nose can be deformed, once again, in order to release the article. In this state, the article can easily be removed in the direction counter to the depositing direction.

During the depositing operation, the securing nose can be deformed such that the top nose edge tilts downward and the article can thus be allowed through and/or guided past the securing nose. When the storage position is reached, the securing nose can be automatically restored, at least in part, to its original form on account of its restoring capability. The depositing operation can be carried out straightforwardly. It is not possible, in practice, for the article to fall out of the storage position accidentally. The securing-nose arrangement according to the invention has, in particular, the advantage that—in comparison, for example, with the configuration of a cutout of the type according to DE 297 23 215 U1—tapering with a comparatively small extent can be created. The width of the tapering may be preferably less than 80% of the width of the depositing region, particularly preferably less than 60% of the depositing region. In relation to a diameter of a partially cylindrical article which is to be deposited, the width of the tapering may be approximately between 30% and 70% of this diameter.

Advantageous storage and support is usually provided only when the packaging element has at least two preferably parallel crosspieces arranged one behind the other. Each crosspiece here has in each case two side walls which are erected from a base plane, are connected to one another at a preferably acute angle and form a top crosspiece edge. Each crosspiece also has at least one cutout which extends over both side walls of the crosspiece, is open in the direction of the top crosspiece edge and can have an article deposited in a storage position in it. However, not all the cutouts have to be provided with securing noses. For example, it may be sufficient if, in the case of at least two crosspieces, just one of the crosspieces were to have one or more cutouts with securing noses. The rest of the crosspieces could have, for example, cutouts just of conventional U-shaped design. It may be particularly advantageous if the packaging element has, for example, four crosspieces arranged in a row one behind the other, in which case two crosspieces could have cutouts provided with securing noses and the two other crosspieces could have conventional cutouts.

The blank for the packaging element may consist of cardboard or cardboard laminate. The crosspieces may be predetermined by folding or bending lines running parallel on the blank. The side walls of the crosspiece may form an isosceles triangle in cross section. Of course, other triangular shapes are nevertheless also conceivable. It is even conceivable for the crosspiece to be designed as a cross-sectionally rectangular or trapezoidal hollow body. A possible cross-sectional shape in particular could be a trapezoid which tapers in the direction of the top edge. In this case, the top edge, rather than being formed for example by a straightforward bending line, would be formed by the top side of the trapezoid, this top side preferably being plane-parallel to a base.

In a first embodiment, the securing nose may have at least one side portion which is assigned to a side wall of the crosspiece and of which the periphery directed toward the base plane can form a stop for a deposited article in the storage position. It is advantageous if both side walls of the crosspiece have a side portion.

It may be advantageous if the periphery directed toward the base plane contains a periphery portion running approximately parallel to the base plane and/or approximately parallel to the top crosspiece edge. Such a periphery portion can easily be used to form a suitable boundary means for securing the article in the storage position.

In order to predetermine a further stopping point for a deposited article, it is possible to provide an obliquely running flank portion which follows the periphery portion. This provides for a two-point support in relation to the direction counter to the depositing direction. Of course, instead of such two-point support (or possibly just single-point support), it would be possible to provide a periphery of which the shape complements the article which is to be deposited. For cylindrical articles, the periphery could also be circular.

A cutout provided for securely fixing an article may be provided with securing noses on both sides in each case. For straight-forward handling, in particular for simplified removal of the article, however, it may be advantageous if a securing nose is provided only on one side of the cutout. The cutout, furthermore, may comprise a U-shaped portion. Depending on the shape of the article which is to be deposited, the bottom region of the U may be of arcuate or some other shape. The lateral peripheries adjoining the base region may advantageously run approximately parallel. Of course, however, it is also conceivable for the lateral peripheries to open in the upward direction.

In order to limit the deformation of the securing nose and/or to predetermine a point of inflection for the tilting of the top nose edge, at least the side portion can be separated from the side walls of the crosspiece by a weakening line. This means that specific deformation can easily be achieved during a depositing operation.

It is particularly advantageous if the weakening line is a scored line created by a stamping operation. A scored weakening line differs, for example, from a perforation line in that no predetermined breaking point is produced. As a result, it is also possible largely to avoid the situation where an entire securing nose is torn off accidentally. Moreover, a scored line gives rise to a considerably lower level of plastic deformation and thus to a greater restoring force.

The weakening line can run approximately perpendicularly to the top crosspiece edge. With a corresponding configuration of the securing nose, this makes it possible to achieve a maximum tilting angle of approximately 90°.

The weakening line may be set back by a distance in relation to a lateral periphery of an accommodating region for the storage position of the article. This arrangement ensures that, when the securing nose is deformed to the full extent, the article can readily be guided past the same during the depositing operation. It may be particularly advantageous here if the abovementioned distance corresponds to the thickness of the material or at least the thickness of the material of the blank.

It may further be advantageous if the weakening line extends from the clearance. Such an arrangement ensures optimum movement capability of the securing nose as it is deformed under the application of pressure.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a blank for the abovedescribed packaging element.

A further aspect of the invention, then, relates to a packaging arrangement having a folding box and a packaging insert of the abovedescribed type arranged therein. The folding box may have a base wall and four side walls preferably adjoining the latter perpendicularly, the packaging insert being adhesively bonded to the base. The packaging insert, on the base, can extend over the entire width of the box. The packaging insert, furthermore, may have reinforcing strips which are arranged between the crosspieces, laterally alongside the crosspieces, and are adhesively bonded to the base. Of course, it is not imperative for the packaging insert to be combined with a box. Thus, for certain applications, it may also be advantageous if the packaging insert were adhesively bonded only to a card (i.e. sheet-like element comprising a base portion, but without any side walls).

Further individual features and advantages of the invention can be gathered from the following description of the exemplary embodiments and from the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective illustration of a packaging arrangement having a folding box and a packaging insert arranged therein,

FIG. 2 shows a perspective illustration, as seen from a slightly different viewing angle, of a detail of a crosspiece having a cutout with a securing nose,

FIG. 3 a shows a plan view of a cutout provided with a securing nose and of an article which is to be deposited,

FIG. 3 b shows the cutout according to FIG. 3 a with a slightly deformed securing nose,

FIG. 3 c shows the cutout according to FIG. 3 a with a fully deformed securing nose, the article being guided past the latter,

FIG. 3 d shows the cutout according to FIG. 3 a with the article in the storage position,

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a crosspiece having a cutout and a securing nose in the rest position,

FIG. 5 shows the detail of the crosspiece according to FIG. 4, this time with a deformed securing nose,

FIG. 6 shows a blank for the packaging insert of the packaging arrangement according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 7 shows a blank for the folding box of the packaging arrangement according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 8 shows a detail-form view of a cutout of the blank according to FIG. 6,

FIG. 9 shows an alternative embodiment of a cutout,

FIG. 10 shows a further cutout, and

FIG. 11 shows a vastly enlarged illustration of a cutout in a two-dimensional position.

FIG. 1 shows a packaging arrangement 18 having a folding box 19 and a packaging insert 1 arranged therein. The packaging insert 1 has a total of four crosspieces which run transversely between two side walls 23 of the box, the crosspieces which are designated by 2 having specially configured cutouts 5 and the two crosspieces 17 having conventional, approximately U-shaped cutouts 26. Elongate articles, for example syringes 30 shown in FIG. 1, can be deposited in these cutouts.

The box 1 which is shown in FIG. 1, and may consist of cardboard or cardboard laminate, is a folding box which is already known per se in the prior art. Such boxes can be produced from a single blank (cf. FIG. 7) and have a base, four side walls 23 and 24, which adjoin the latter perpendicularly, and a lid 25. As can be seen, the box also has dust flaps adjoining the side walls 24, and the side walls 23 and 24 are connected to one another by adhesive-bonding tabs.

The packaging insert is adhesively bonded to the box base via its base portions 16, and this results in relatively flexurally rigid crosspieces 2 and 17 of triangular cross-sectional shape. The crosspieces have in each case two side walls which are erected from a base plane, are connected to one another at an acute angle (usually between 5° and 30°, preferably approximately 10°) and form a top crosspiece edge. In the present exemplary embodiment, cutouts 5, 26 and 26′ which are open in the direction of the top crosspiece edge are arranged in each crosspiece in order for seven syringes 30 to be packaged.

Of course, the number of crosspieces may vary. In order for elongate articles to be fixed in position in an advantageous manner, however, at least two parallel crosspieces should be provided. FIG. 1 shows two crosspieces 2, of which the cutouts 5 have securing noses 6, which will be described in more detail hereinbelow. Depending on the articles, however, two such crosspieces 2 provided with securing noses are not always necessary. In order for deposited articles to be sufficiently secured in the storage position, however, the packaging insert should have at least one crosspiece provided with securing noses. The rest of the crosspieces can have conventional cutouts (i.e. just U-shaped cutouts).

FIG. 2 shows part of a crosspiece 2 with a detailed illustration of a cutout 5 with a securing nose 6. As can be seen, the cutout 5 has a J-shaped portion 12, in the base region of which it is possible to deposit an article. As can be seen, the securing nose 6 partially blocks the opening of the cutout 5 in the upward direction. A periphery 9 directed toward the base plane here would form a stop for a deposited article (not illustrated). The crosspiece 2 has two side walls 3 and 3′, which are connected to one another by the top crosspiece edge 4. The side walls of the crosspiece are connected to the base portion 16 by folding or bending lines. The securing nose 6 has a top edge 7 which follows the top crosspiece edge 4 and connects two side portions 8 to one another. The securing nose 6 is thus—like the crosspiece—of triangular configuration in cross section. It is not absolutely necessary, however, for both side walls of the crosspiece to have a side portion. Thus, it would at least be conceivable for, for example, just one side wall of the crosspiece to have a side portion.

By virtue of pressure being applied to the top nose edge 7 (indicated by a force F). the securing nose 6 can be tilted or inflected downward, in which case it deforms. It can also be seen that a clearance 13 is arranged at the base end of the securing nose. Accordingly, this clearance is located between the periphery 9 and the J-shaped portion. A depositing operation, in which an article is moved into the storage position, will be presented hereinbelow, with reference to FIGS. 3 a to 3 d.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3 a, the side portion 8 of the securing nose 6 is separated from the side wall 3 of the crosspiece by a weakening line 14. Of course, it is also nevertheless conceivable to dispense with such a weakening line—as in FIG. 2. However, it has been found that specific deformation of the securing nose 6 can easily be achieved thanks to the weakening line 14. The weakening line 14 may advantageously be a scored line created by a stamping operation. As can be seen, the line 14 runs through the clearance 13, and is set back by a distance t in relation to the lateral periphery 15 of the J-shaped portion 12 of the cutout 5 (FIG. 2).

As can be gathered from FIG. 3 b, the top nose edge 7 is tilted toward the base plane in the depositing direction e under the application of pressure. As can be seen, the point of inflection, or tilting point, is located at the crossover region of the top edges 4/7 and the line 14. If an article 30, then, is displaced further downward in direction e, the securing nose 6 is deformed to the extent where the tapering formed by the securing nose is eliminated. Such a position is shown in FIG. 3 c, in which the article 30 can easily be guided past the securing nose 6. The clearance 13 here serves to make possible such defined deformation of the securing nose 6. In FIG. 3 d, the article 30 is located in its end position or storage position. As can be seen, the securing nose has been restored more or less completely to its original form. The restoring capability is provided by the configuration of the securing nose 6 according to the invention. FIG. 3 d also shows that the base region of the cutout 5 approximately complements the cross-sectional shape of the article 30.

In the storage position, the base periphery of the securing nose 6, along with an obliquely running flank portion and a periphery portion 10, which runs parallel to the top nose edge 7, forms a stop which prevents the article from falling out.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show, once again, a blank 5 with a securing nose 6, this time seen from a different viewing angle. In FIG. 4, the securing nose 6 is located in a rest position. In FIG. 5, the securing nose 6 is located in a deformed position (this position corresponds approximately to the position according to FIG. 3 c). As can be seen, the deformed securing nose 6 is flattened in this position, and the flattened part of the securing nose, this part directed toward the viewer, is of approximately triangular design. Such flattening is produced by virtue of the side portion of the securing nose being swung over, a fold 31 forming on both sides. Such a fold 31 is likewise indicated by a corresponding line in FIG. 3 c.

FIG. 6 shows a sheet-like blank 20 which is made of cardboard or cardboard laminate and from which the packaging insert is produced. The depicted blank is intended for forming four parallel crosspieces, respective base portions 16 being arranged between the crosspieces. The front and rear crosspieces are likewise followed laterally by base portions, which, like the other base portions 16, are provided for adhesive bonding to a box base. The solid lines correspond to cutting lines, the dashed lines (e.g. 27) correspond to perforation lines, and the dash-dotted lines (e.g. 28) correspond to scored lines created by a stamping operation. Alongside the specially configured cutouts 5, approximately U-shaped cutouts 26 and 26′ are arranged, laterally in each case, in corresponding crosspieces. As can be seen, the lateral peripheries of the U-shaped cutouts 26 and 26′, rather than running precisely parallel, open slightly in the direction of the top edge.

FIG. 7 shows a blank 21 for a folding box. The base 22, the side walls 23 and 24 and the lid 25 are separated from one another by bending or folding lines (lines made up of single dashes and dots indicate scored lines; lines made up of double dashes and dots indicate incised lines).

As FIG. 9 shows, a cutout 5 of a crosspiece may also have two securing noses which are directed toward one another. Provided on each side of the cutout 5 are side portions 8 and 8′, which are separated from the side walls of the crosspiece in each case by a weakening line 14 and 14′. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 9, the securing noses are of mirror-symmetrical design.

The configuration of the cutout 5 according to FIG. 10 differs from the embodiment according to FIG. 8 merely by the fact that a short scored line 29 is provided in the corner region of the periphery 9. An incision would also be conceivable in place of the scored line.

As the enlarged illustration of a blank in FIG. 11 shows, the top crosspiece edge and the top nose edge are predetermined by a scored line 28. This line 28 also separates from one another two side portions 8 with the flank portions 11. The side portions 8, for their part, are separated from the side walls of the crosspiece by the weakening line 14. The distance t is approximately 1 mm, but is at least equal to the thickness of the piece of cardboard as a clearance space for the nose. The base region of the J-shaped portion 12 is formed by a semicircle (circle radius R), the dimensioning being adapted to the article which is to be deposited. Depending on the article, the base region, of course, may also be of some other shape.

The packaging element may consist of cardboard, cardboard laminate or of some other material with good restoring capability. 

1. A packaging element, in particular packaging insert for fixing elongate articles (30) in position, comprising a sheet-like blank (20) having at least one crosspiece (2) which has in each case two side walls (3, 3′) which are erected from a base plane, are connected to one another at a preferably acute angle and form a top crosspiece edge (4), the crosspiece (2) having at least one cutout (5) which extends over both side walls (3, 3′) of the crosspiece, is open in the direction of the top crosspiece edge and can have an article (30) deposited in a storage position in it, wherein a securing nose (6) is provided on at least one side of the cutout (5), and this securing nose is configured in a resiliently deformable manner such that during the depositing operation, in order to allow the article through, it can be deformed in the depositing direction (e) under the action of pressure, and that once the storage position has been reached, in order to secure a deposited article in the storage position, or following removal of the pressure, it can be restored, at least in part, to its original form.
 2. The packaging element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the securing nose has a top edge (7) which follows the top crosspiece edge (4) and can be tilted, under the action of pressure, in the direction of the base plane.
 3. The packaging element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the securing nose (6) has at least one side portion (8) which is assigned to a respective side wall (3, 3′) of the crosspiece and of which the periphery (9) directed toward the base plane forms a stop for a deposited article (30).
 4. The packaging element as claimed in claim 3, wherein the periphery (9) directed toward the base plane contains a periphery portion (10) running approximately parallel to the base plane and/or approximately parallel to the top crosspiece edge (4).
 5. The packaging element as claimed in claim 4, wherein, in order to predetermine a further stopping point for a deposited article, the periphery portion (10) is followed by an obliquely running flank portion (11).
 6. The packaging element as claimed in claim 1, wherein a securing nose (6) is provided only on one side of the cutout (5), and wherein the cutout (5) comprises a J-shaped portion (12).
 7. The packaging element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cutout (5) has a clearance (13) which is arranged at the base end of the securing nose (6).
 8. The packaging element as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in order to limit the deformation of the securing nose (6) and/or to predetermine a point of inflection for the tilting of the top nose edge (7), at least the side portion (8) is separated from the side walls (3, 3′) of the crosspiece by a weakening line (14).
 9. The packaging element as claimed in claim 8, wherein the weakening line (14) is a scored line created by a stamping operation.
 10. The packaging element as claimed in claim 8, wherein the weakening line (14) runs approximately perpendicularly to the top crosspiece edge (4).
 11. The packaging element as claimed in claim 10, wherein the weakening line (14) is set back by a distance (t), preferably by the thickness of the material of the blank (20), in relation to a lateral periphery (15) of an accommodating region for the storage position of the article (30).
 12. The packaging element as claimed in claim 7, wherein the weakening line (14) extends from the clearance (13).
 13. A blank (20) for a packaging element as claimed in claim
 1. 14. A packaging arrangement having a folding box (13) and at least one packaging insert (1) as claimed in claim 1 arranged therein, the folding box having a base (22) and four side walls (23, 24), wherein the packaging insert (1) is adhesively bonded to the base (22). 